Patent Application
20120000165
This disclosure generally relates to method and apparatus for handling moist smokeless tobacco (MST) products. More particularly, the invention relates to method and apparatus for precision dispensing of MST.
Conventional methods for dosing and pouching MST include drying, pouching, rewetting and/or flavoring the MST, and then packaging the pouches for delivery to consumers. Typically, unless the MST is first dried, the MST cannot be accurately dosed or dispensed and then pouched on standard pouching apparatus machines because the high moisture content of the tobacco causes clumping and non-uniform delivery of tobacco to the pouches. After drying, the MST is typically pouched and rewetted. However, rewetting after pouching causes MST to clump, which causes non-uniform flavor delivery due to the higher density of the clumps within the pouch as compared to non-clumped portions of MST contained within the pouch. In addition, when the MST has been dried, the flavor and organoleptic characteristics may be undesirably changed when compared to the original loose, fibrous MST. Thus, it is desirable to pouch MST using a method and apparatus that can provide more uniform and accurate dosing of MST from a dosing cavity without the need for drying and/or rewetting steps.
Thus, a method and apparatus for accurately dosing MST that obviates the need for drying MST prior to pouching, substantially reduces or prevents the need for rewetting MST after pouching, and provides substantially accurate dosing of an oral tobacco pouch products has not yet been provided.
An apparatus for forming, filling and sealing oral tobacco pouch products preferably includes dispensing apparatus for accurately dosing moist smokeless tobacco. Preferably, the dispensing apparatus includes a dosing assembly or system and a dosing air source. Also preferably, the dosing assembly defines a loading chamber and a dosing chamber for containing a predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco material and includes a discharge opening communicating with the dosing chamber. Moreover, the dosing air source communicates with the dosing chamber and is operable to deliver compressed air to the dosing assembly so as to move moist smokeless tobacco material from the dosing cavity to the discharge opening.
In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus can also include a hopper for containing moist smokeless tobacco prior to delivery of the moist smokeless tobacco to the dosing assembly. Tobacco feed system may also be provided between the hopper and the dosing assembly which includes a dual screw feeder and a tobacco feed drive for driving the dual screw feeder. Preferably, the dual screw feeder conveys moist smokeless tobacco from the hopper to the dosing assembly. Also preferably, the apparatus includes a dosing tube for communicating with the discharge opening and for delivering moist smokeless tobacco from the dosing apparatus to the pouching apparatus. Further, the apparatus may include a controller for controlling the apparatus and sequencing the various components thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus can also include an atomized water source for supplying water to the cavity and/or dosing tube between dosing operations so as to remove residual MST contained therein.
Also in the preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a movable element operable to move between an open loading position and a closed dosing position. When the movable element is in the open loading position a loading chamber is defined therein. When the movable element is in the closed dosing position, a dosing chamber is defined within the apparatus. When the movable element is in the open loading position, MST can be loaded into the loading chamber. When the movable element is in the closed dosing position, newly introduced MST in the loading chamber is urged into the confines of a dosing chamber. A pulse of compressed air then discharges the MST through a discharge opening leading to the dosing tube.
In one preferred embodiment, the movable element includes a rotary dosing cam. Preferably, the rotary dosing cam or slide is adapted to be moved between an open loading position and a closed dosing position. When the rotary dosing cam rotates to the open loading position, a loading chamber is defined in the apparatus and MST can be loaded into the loading chamber. Preferably, the tobacco feed system delivers MST to the loading chamber. As the rotary dosing cam rotates to the closed dosing position, MST contained within the loading chamber is compacted to a generally cylindrical form within the dosing chamber and held in a position generally aligned with the dosing tube. Preferably, the dosing air source provides compressed air to an air inlet directly above the generally cylindrical shaped MST so as to force substantially all of the predetermined quantity of MST from the dosing chamber and into the dosing tube. The blast of air helps to ensure delivery of substantially all of the predetermined quantity of MST to the pouching apparatus.
In another embodiment, the movable element includes a reciprocable slide component. The reciprocable slide has a generally semi-circular recess on its inner face, and cooperates with a stationary piece which has a complementary generally semi-circular recess. When the reciprocable slide and the stationary piece are brought together at the closed dosing position, a dosing chamber is defined within the generally semi-circular recesses of the reciprocable plug and the stationary piece. Preferably, the assembly also includes an air cylinder connected to the reciprocable slide and operable to move the reciprocable slide. When the reciprocable slide is in the open position, a loading chamber is defined within the linear dosing assembly and a predetermined quantity of MST can be received in the loading chamber from the tobacco feed system. When in the closed position, the reciprocable slide prevents further loading of the loading chamber. As the reciprocable slide closes, the loading chamber is compressed and MST is formed into a generally cylindrical plug within the dosing chamber located within the linear dosing assembly. Preferably, dosing chamber is adjacent to and aligned with the dosing tube. Also preferably, the dosing air source provides compressed air to an air inlet adjacent the dosing chamber so as to force substantially all of the predetermined quantity of MST from the dosing chamber and into the dosing tube.
In a preferred embodiment, a method of pouching moist smokeless tobacco includes the steps of placing a predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco in a dosing chamber having a predetermined volume, and ejecting the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco to pouching apparatus using compressed air. The method can also include the steps of conveying the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco using a tobacco feed drive, applying atomized water subsequent to the ejecting step and subsequent placing step, delivering the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco to pouching apparatus through a dosing tube, placing the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco in a pouch, and/or sealing the pouch to contain the moist smokeless tobacco therein and form an oral tobacco pouch product.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are applied to like elements and wherein:
b is a perspective view of the first embodiment of
A method and apparatus for uniformly pouching high OV (oven volatiles) tobacco is provided herein that is capable of repeatedly and consistently feeding predetermined amount of high OV tobacco, such as moist smokeless tobacco (MST) having a moisture content of at least about 50% or more and/or doing the same with tobacco that is tacky and difficult to feed with conventional devices, because of the presence of elevated levels of humectants, flavors, or other additives in the tobacco. Tackiness in some tobaccos can arise and create feeding difficulties at moisture contents of about 30% or greater. Also preferably, the apparatus includes a feed system for delivering a substantially accurate quantity of moist smokeless tobacco to individual pouch wrappers in the course of manufacture of pouched tobacco products.
As used herein, the term “moist smokeless tobacco” (“MST”) refers to loose, fibrous leaf tobacco that is optionally fermented and/or optionally flavored. Preferably, the MST includes a blend of tobaccos that are cut, optionally fermented, optionally pasteurized, and/or optionally flavored. With practice of teachings herein, the MST can be fed into pouches without being dried and/or rewetted so as to substantially avoid altering the flavor and/or organoleptic properties of the MST after processing and placement in pouched products for oral use. Preferably, the MST is in the form of fine cut, loose tobacco fibers having short strands ranging in length from about 0.2 mm to about 15 mm (e.g., about 0.2 mm to about 12 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm, about 1.0 mm to about 8 mm, about 2.0 mm to about 6.0 mm, or about 3.0 mm to about 5.0 mm) and having a width of about 0.2 mm to about 2.5 mm (e.g., about 0.2 mm to about 2.0 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, or about 0.75 mm to about 1.0 mm).
As used herein, the term “fermented” refers to the transformation of a material (such as tobacco) using one or more microorganisms, such as bacteria.
As used herein, the value of “oven volatiles” or “OV” is determined by placing a weighed sample of moist botanical material in an air-circulating oven and maintaining the sample in the oven, at a temperature of 100° C., for a period of three hours, after which the sample is again weighed. The difference in the two weight values expressed as a percentage of the original weight is defined as “oven volatiles” or “OV.” Oven volatiles include water and anything that boils at a temperature of less than about 100° C.
As shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a feed system 50 that is designed to accurately dose MST so that a predetermined amount of MST is delivered to the pouching apparatus for placement a pouch. Preferably, the feed system 50 includes a hopper 12 for containing or holding a supply of MST prior to conveyance through the feed system 50. Also preferably, the hopper 12 supplies MST to a tobacco feed system 10 which may include a dual screw feeder 14, and a tobacco feed drive 15. In the preferred embodiment, the tobacco feed drive 15 is connected to a controller 30, which operates the tobacco feed drive 15 and in turn, the dual screw feeder 14. Also preferably, the controller 30 and the tobacco feed drive 15 operates the dual screw feeder 14 incrementally (for example, one and a half turns each time) so that a predetermined quantity of MST is transported from the hopper 12 to a dosing assembly 26.
In the preferred embodiment, the dosing assembly 26 defines a loading chamber 16 for containing a predetermined quantity of MST, a dosing chamber 34, and a discharge opening 41 communicating with the dosing chamber 34. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a dosing air source 18 communicating with the dosing chamber 34 and operable to deliver compressed air to the dosing chamber 34 so as to move MST from the dosing chamber 34 through the discharge opening 41 and down a dosing tube 22 to the poucher 24.
In one preferred embodiment, the dosing assembly 26 includes a movable element including a reciprocable slide 36 and an air cylinder 32 that is operatively connected with the reciprocable slide 36 and operable to move the reciprocable slide 36. Preferably, the reciprocable slide 36 has a generally semi-circular recess or groove 37 on an inner face 39 thereof. Also preferably, the reciprocable slide 36 cooperates with a stationary piece 38 which has a complementary, generally semi-circular recess or groove 37′. Referring now to
Preferably, the action of the air cylinder 32 causes the reciprocable slide 36 to move between an open loading position (as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the air inlet 40 communicates with a dosing air source 18. Preferably, the dosing air source 18 delivers compressed air to the air inlet 40. The air is then blown through the air inlet 40, and towards the cylindrical plug so as to push or force the MST through the discharge opening 41 and into the dosing tube 22. Preferably, the moist smokeless tobacco then passes through the dosing tube 22 to the pouching apparatus 24 where the moist smokeless tobacco is positioned between layers of a porous web material. Because MST can be sticky, the blast or pulse of compressed air helps to push substantially all of the predetermined quantity of MST that was situated in dosing chamber 34 to the dosing tube 22 so that substantially all of the predetermined quantity of MST is delivered to the pouching apparatus for placement in a pouch wrapper.
Optionally, between dosing operations, water from an atomized water source 20, located downstream of the air inlet 40 but upstream of the dosing chamber 34, can be supplied to the dosing assembly 26 and/or the dosing tube 22 via a water inlet 21 to help remove any residual MST after the blast or pulse of air moved the MST from the dosing chamber 34 and down the dosing tube 22. Preferably, the atomized water spray may then pass through the dosing tube 22 and may be included in the oral tobacco pouch product so as to help maintain desired moisture content of the MST. Preferably, the quantity of water is small so as not to substantially impact the moisture content of the tobacco that has been placed in the pouch. In the preferred embodiment, about 0.5 milliliters (ml) to about 1.5 ml of water is sprayed between each dosing operation. For example, about 1 ml of water can be sprayed into the linear dosing assembly 26 through the water inlet 21 to rinse the linear dosing assembly 26 and/or the dosing tube 22. Thus, any residual MST is pushed or advanced into the dosing tube 22 for delivery to the pouching apparatus 24. Preferably, the atomized water source 20 is connected to and operated by the controller 30, which controls if and when water is supplied to the linear dosing assembly 26.
Also in the preferred embodiment, the controller 30 functions to operate the various components of the feed system 50 including the tobacco feed drive 14, dosing air source 18, atomized water source 20, and air cylinder drive 31, as described above. Also preferably, the controller 30 communicates with the pouching apparatus 24 so that doses of MST are delivered to the pouching apparatus 24 at the appropriate time. In the preferred embodiment, the controller 30 sequentially controls the operations of the various components to drive MST through the feed system 50 and to the pouching apparatus 24.
In the preferred embodiment, the components of the feed system 50 and/or pouching apparatus 24 are formed of stainless steel. Alternatively, the components of the feed system 50 and/or pouching apparatus 24 be formed of other materials selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, plastic, and combinations thereof.
In a second embodiment, as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a feed system 500 that is designed to accurately dose or dispense MST so that an accurate amount of MST is delivered to the pouching apparatus for placement a pouch. Preferably, the feed system 500 includes a hopper 120 for containing or holding MST prior to conveyance through the feed system 500. Also preferably, the hopper 120 supplies MST to a tobacco feed system 100 which may include a dual screw feeder 140 and a tobacco feed drive 150. In the preferred embodiment, the tobacco feed drive 150 is connected to a controller 300, which operates the tobacco feed drive 150, and in turn, incrementally operates the dual screw feeder 140 (for example, one and a half turns each time). Also preferably, the tobacco feed drive operates the dual screw feeder 140 so that MST is transported from the hopper 120 to a dosing assembly 260.
In one preferred embodiment, the dosing assembly 260 is a rotary dosing assembly 260. Preferably, the rotary dosing assembly 260 is configured to substantially accurately dose or dispense a predetermined quantity of MST. In the preferred embodiment, the rotary dosing assembly 260 includes a movable element which partially defines a loading chamber 160 when in a retracted, open, loading position as shown. Also preferably, the loading chamber 160 communicates with the discharge end of the screw feeder 140. Moreover, the movable element includes a rotary dosing cam 360 that is adapted to be moved between the open, loading position and a closed dosing position. Preferably, the loading chamber 160 is filled with the predetermined quantity of MST as the MST is fed to the rotary dosing assembly 260 by the dual screw feeder 140. As the rotary dosing cam 360 moves to the closed dosing position, the MST is moved into the dosing chamber 340 wherein it is suspended in a compressed or compacted state. Preferably, the dosing chamber 340 is disposed between an air inlet 400 and a dosing tube 220. More preferably, the dosing chamber 340 lies below the air inlet 400 and above the dosing tube 220. A discharge opening 410 of the loading chamber 160 is defined at the upper end of the dosing tube 220. In use, MST passes from the dosing chamber 340, through the discharge opening 410, and into the dosing tube 220.
In the preferred embodiment, the air inlet 400 communicates with a dosing air source 180. Preferably, the dosing air source 180 delivers compressed air to the air inlet 400. The air is then blown through the air inlet 400 and towards the dosing chamber 340 so as to force or push the MST through the discharge opening 410 and into the dosing tube 220. Preferably, the moist smokeless tobacco then passes through the dosing tube 220 and to a pouching apparatus 240 where the moist smokeless tobacco is positioned between layers of a porous web material. Because MST can be sticky, the blast or pulse of compressed air helps to push essentially all of the predetermined quantity of MST that entered the dosing chamber 340 through the discharge opening 410 and to the dosing tube 220 so that substantially all of the predetermined quantity of MST is delivered to the pouching apparatus for placement in a pouch wrapper.
As shown in
Optionally, between dosing operations, water from an atomized water source 200, as shown in
Also in the preferred embodiment, the controller 300 functions to operate the various components of the feed system 500 including the tobacco feed drive 140, dosing air source 180, atomized water source 200, and air cylinder drive 310, as described above. Also preferably, the controller 300 is connected to and operates the pouching apparatus 240. In the preferred embodiment, the controller 300 sequentially controls the operations of the various components to drive MST through the feed system 500 and to the pouching apparatus 240.
In the preferred embodiment, the components of the feed system 500 and/or pouching apparatus 240 are formed of stainless steel. Alternatively, the components of the feed system 500 and/or pouching apparatus 240 be formed of other materials selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, plastic, and combinations thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, a method of pouching moist smokeless tobacco material includes placing a predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco in a dosing chamber, and ejecting the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco using compressed air. Preferably, the method also includes conveying the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco using a tobacco feed drive system. Optionally, the method can include spraying atomized water into the dosing chamber between dosing operations. In the preferred embodiment, the method can also include delivering the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco to a pouching apparatus using a dosing tube. Moreover, the method can include placing the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco in a pouch and sealing the pouch to contain the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco therein and form a tobacco pouch product for oral use.
It is to be realized that the teachings herein can be applied to other organic or inorganic materials that are tacky and otherwise difficult to feed in a consistent, repetitive manner. The teachings may also be applied to the feeding of tacky materials to processing machines other than pouching machines as described herein.
As used herein, the term “about” when used in conjunction with a stated numerical value or range denotes somewhat more or somewhat less than the stated value or range, to within a range of ±10% of that stated.
In this specification the words “generally” and “substantially” are sometimes used with respect to terms. When used with geometric terms, the words “generally” and “substantially” are intended to encompass not only features which meet the strict definitions but also features which fairly approximate the strict definitions.
While the foregoing describes in detail a preferred apparatus and methods for pouching moist smokeless tobacco with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to apparatus and equivalent methods may be employed, which do not materially depart from the spirit and scope of the foregoing description. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are intended to be encompassed thereby.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61301037 | Feb 2010 | US |
